A federal grand jury in April returned a four-count indictment charging him with murder in the death of Zapata, attempted murder of ICE special agent Victor Avila, one count of a murder and attempted murder of internationally protected persons and one count of using a firearm during the crimes.

“The indictment, unsealed today, and the successful extradition of Piolin to the United States, reflect the Justice Department's vigorous and determined efforts to seek justice for agents Zapata and Avila,” said Lanny Breuer, assistant U.S. attorney general.

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He and Avila were ambushed while traveling between Mexico City and Monterrey, near San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Avila was wounded.

Zapata Espinoza had been arrested in Mexico in December 2009 on weapons and organized crime charges but was given a conditional release by a federal judge four months later, Mexican officials said. After Zapata Espinoza stopped checking in with parole officers, a judge revoked his release last January, just weeks before the U.S. agents were attacked, but authorities could not locate the fugitive.

Zapata Espinoza was arrested following the ambush and confessed to the shooting death of agent Zapata to Mexican authorities.

Zapata Espinoza was turned over by Mexican authorities to FBI agents at the airport in Veracruz state in Mexico on Tuesday for extradition to the United States.

He was brought before U.S. District Chief Judge Royce Lamberth in Washington, where the indictment was unsealed.

Zapata Espinoza pleaded not guilty to the charges. Lamberth ordered him held without bail and ordered a Jan. 25 hearing.

The death of Zapata and attempted killing of Avila was an international incident that prompted President Barack Obama to press Mexican President Felipe Calderón for extradition during a state visit this year.